Apparatus for winding webs and inserting tabs therebetween



W. J. F ANNING APPARATUS FOR WINDING WEBS AND INSERTING TABS THEREBETWEEN Sept. 20, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1964 INVENTOE W...I.FANNING BY o..c. 2W. ATTOEN W. J. FANNING APPARATUS FOR WINDING WEBS AND INSERTING Sept. 20, 1966 TABS THEREBETWEEN 5 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed May 25, 1964 S m m Tmm Sept. 20, 1966 w. J. FANNING APPARATUS FOR WINDING WEBS AND INSERTING TABS THEREBETWEEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1964 Sept. 20, 1966 w. J. FANNING APPARATUS FOR WINDING WEBS AND INSERTING TABS THEREBETWEEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 25, 1964 Sept. 20, 1966 w. J. FANNING APPARATUS FOR WINDING WEBS AND INSERTING TABS THEREBETWEEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1964 United States Patent Office 3,273,816 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 This invention relates to web winding apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically fabricating capacitors having a pair of metall-ized webs and a section of dielectric tape interposed between the trailing end portions of the webs.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for winding webs and inserting tabs therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient apparatus for automatically winding capacitors from a pair of metallized webs and inserting a section of dielectric tape between the trailing end portions of the webs of each of the capacitors.

An apparatus illustrating certain features of the invention may include a split arbor having a pair of arbor sections, and a mechanism for actuating the arbor sections into engagement with opposite sides of a pair of metallized webs at an upper position, for rotating the arbor to wind a predetermined length of the webs thereof, and for moving the arbor and the partially Wound capacitor roll thereon to a lower position where one of the Webs is severed adjacent to the arbor. In its lower position the arbor is located adjacent to a tape guide that supports a tape for intermittent movement along a prescribed path, and has mechanism mounted thereon including a vertically movable shear blade for severing a section of the tape.

A severed section of the tape is yieldably pressed against and advanced by a first feed roller and is directed by the guide into the bite of a convolution of the severed web on the capacitor roll and the other web extending from the capacitor roll. The arbor is then rotated for a short interval of time to effect the winding of the tape section around the roll in partially overlapping relation to the trailing end portion of the severed web, and the winding of the other web around the tape and the roll. Thereafter, the other web is sealed to the capacitor and severed from the web supply.

A second feed roller engages the tape from the supply thereof and is actuated simultaneous with the first feed roller through one revolution to feed the tape through a predetermined distance and to advance the leading end portion thereof past the shear blade and into engagement with the first tape feed roller. The first feed roller is slightly larger than the second roller and serves to longitudinally tension the tape between the pair of feed rollers to facilitate the shearing of the tape.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is the plan view of the capacitor winding apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the apparatus showing the arbor;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1 showing the winding arbor in its upper position and a portion of the tape feeding mechanism in its normal retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line 5.5 of FIG. 1 showing the winding arbor in its lower position and the tape feeding and shearing mechanism. in its advanced position;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical cross-sectional views through the tape feeding and shearing mechanism of the apparatus taken on the lines 66 and 7--7, respectively, of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially wound capacitor;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary diagrammatic View of a por- 7 tion of the apparatus showing the arbor in its upper position during the initial portion of the winding operation; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the apparatus showing the arbor in its lower position during an intermediate portion of the capacitor winding operation.

The present apparatus is designed to wind automatically capacitor rolls (FIGS. 5, 8 and 10) from a pair of metallized dielectric webs 16 and 17 having electrodes 18 and I19, respectively, on one side thereof, and to sever a section or tab 20 from an unmetallized dielectric tape 21 and insert the tab 20 between the trailing end portions of the webs 16 and 17 to electrically insulate the trailing end portion of the electrode 18 from the electrode 19. As shown in FIG. 8, the webs 16, 17 and the dielectric tab 20 are of the same width and the electrodes 18 and 19 are of less width than that of the webs and extend from opposite longitudinal edges of the webs and opposite ends of the capacitor. Supply rolls 25 and 26 of the webs (FIGS. 4 and 5) are supported on a pair of spindles 27 which are rotatably mounted on a vertical frame plate 30 secured to and extending upwardly from a horizontal base plate 3.1. The webs 16 and 17 from the supply rolls are guided respectively about pairs of rollers 33 and 34 to a winding arbor 35.

The arbor 35 is of the longitudinally split type comprising two arbor sections 351 (FIG. 3) which have substantially flat mating surfaces for receiving the webs .16 and 17 the-rebetween and which are secured to shafts 37 as disclosed in the co-pending application of the same inventor and assignee, Serial No. 347,479 filed Feb. 26, 1964, now Patent No. 3,201,056, dated Aug. 17, 1965, on a winding apparatus. The shafts 37 (FIG. 2) are mounted for rotation and for axial movement in bearing apertures in supporting members 38 (FIG. 2 extending upwardly from a cross member 39 of a cradle 40. In the closed position, the arbor sections 35-1 are rotatably supported in bearings 41 in members 42 which are mounted on a pair of the supporting members .38 and serve as stripping members for removing the capacitor 15 from the arbor sections 35 1 as the arbor sections are retracted.

The cross member 39 of the cradle is supported on the forward ends of a pair of parallel longitudinal members 44 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which have trunnions 48 that are journalled in vertical frame plates 50 for supporting the cradle 40 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. Cam followers 53 (FIG. 1) on the longitudinal members 44 engage cams 54 on a cam shaft 55 and are actuated thereby to rock the cradle 40 and move the arbor 35 to an upper position (FIG. 4) for winding the webs 16, 17 thereon, and to a lower position (FIG. 5) to facilitate the shearing of the webs and the insertion of the dielelcjtric tab 20 between the trailing end portions of the we s.

The cam shaft 55 is connected through a transmission 59 (FIG. 1) including an electrically operated clutch and brake coupling (not shown) to a continuously operating motor 60, and is successively rotated thereby through one revolution followed by an interval of dwell during which the arbor 35 in its upper position is rotated to wind the webs thereon.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the arbor supporting shafts 37 are coupled through connectors 68 to piston rods 69 of fluid-operated actuators 71 which are mounted on horizontal supporting arms 72 affixed to the vertical supports 38 of the cradle 40. Axial movement to and from closed and open positions is imparted to the arbor sections by the admission of compressed air from a suitable source thereof selectively-t opposite ends of the actuators 71 under control of electrically operated valves 73 (FIG. 1). These valves in turn are controlled by a switch 74, actuated by a cam 75 on the cam shaft 55. The switch 74 is part of a control device 76 indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Securedto the arbor supporting shafts 37 are gears 78 (FIG. 2) that mesh with elongated gears 79 secured to a drive shaft 80. The drive shaft 80 is rotatably mounted in the vertical supporting members 38 of the cradle 40 and is connected through suitable belt and pulley connections 81 to a motor 82 (FIG. 1) for imparting rotation to the arbor 35.

Portions of the webs 16, 17 are moved into engagement with each other and supported vertically by a pair of positioning elements 86 and 87 (FIGS. 1, 4, 9 and 10) in a position to be engaged by the arbor sections 35-1 when they are in the upper position. The positioning elements are mounted in opposed relation to each other on the ends of slide bars 88 and 89 and have horizontally disposed cooperating recesses 95 which provide clearance for axial movement of the arbor sections 35-1. The bars 88 and 89 are slidable horizontally in supports 90 on a stationary horizontal frame plate 91 and are actuated to and from closed and open positions by cams 92 and 93 (FIG. 1) on the cam shaft 55 in cooperation with springs 94.

With the arbor 35 in its upper position, the arbor sections 351 are moved axially by the actuators 71, under control of the cam 75, to closed position on opposite sides of and in engagement with the webs 16 and 17, after which a cam 99 on the rotating cam shaft 55 actuates a switch 100 of the control device 76 to effect the operation of the motor 82 and the rotation of the arbor 35 at a slow speed to wind a few convolutions of the webs 16 and 17 thereonto. Thereafter, the cams 92, 93 actuate the web positioning elements 86, 87 to retracted positions, a cam 102 actuates a switch 103 of the control device 76 to effect the change of the motor from low speed to high speed, and a cam 105 actuates a switch 106 of the control device 76 to effect the de-energization of the clutch for the drive motor 60 and the stopping of the cam shaft 55. After a predetermined length of the webs 16 and 17 have been wound onto the arbor, the control device 76 serves to effect the stopping of the motor 82 and the arbor 35, and also to effect the energization of the clutch for the drive motor 60 and the rota-tion of the cam shaft 55.

In response to rotation of the cam shaft 55, a cam 110 thereon actuates a switch 111 to effect the actuation of an electrically operated valve 112, the operation of a fluid-operated actuator 113 on the cradle 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the movement of a cutoff bar 115 secured to the piston rod 116 of the actuator from a normal retracted position to a forward position between the diverging webs 16 and 17. Immediately after the cutoff bar has been advanced, the cams 54 on the rotating cam shaft 55 effect the movement of the cradle 40, the arbor 35 and the cutoff bar 115 to the lower position (FIG. with the cutoff bar in the path of movement of a shear blade 124.

The shear blade 124 is secured to a slide bar 125 that is mounted for horizontal movement on the underside of the horizontal frame plate 91 and is reciprocated by a cam 127 (FIG. 1) on the cam shaft 55 in cooperation with a spring 128 to effect the shearing of the web 16 adjacent to the capacitor roll on the arbor 35 (FIG. Secured to the forward portion of the shear blade 124 for movement therewith is a pad 129 which acts to clamp against to the cutoff bar the portion of the web 16 above the shear blade 124 so as to firmly hold the end of the web supply prior to and subsequent to completion of the shearing of the web.

With the cradle 40 in its lower position, the arbor 35 and the capacitor roll 15 are disposed at a level below and laterally adjacent to the leading end of the dielectric tab 20 (FIGS. 5 and 10) which is supported in a guide 130 of a feeding and shearing mechanism 131. The guide 130 is mounted on the upper portion of a pair of vertical plates 133 and 134 of a carrier 135 and has a guideway 136 of rectangular cross section (FIGS. 5-7) for receiving the tape 21. A supply roll 137 of the tape 21 is supported on a spindle 138 on the vertical frame plate 134 of the carrier, and the tape 21 is advanced from the supply roll around a pair of guide rollers 139 into the guideway 136.

The carrier 135 has a base 140 supported in suitable guideway in the base plate 31 of the apparatus for guiding the carrier 135 to and from a normal retracted position (FIG. 4), permitting vertical movement of the arbor 35, and a forward position (FIG. 5) for the feeding of the sheared tab 20 of the tape 21 into engagement with the capacitor roll 15. A spring 146 (FIG. 4) urges the carrier 135 in one direction and cooperates with a cam 147 on the cam shaft 55, a bell crank cam lever 148 pivotally supported at 149, and a link 150 interconnecting the lever 148 and the carrier 135, to actuate the carrier from one position to the other in timed relation to the movement of the arbor to its upper and lower positions. With the carrier 135 in its forward position, the downwardly curved end portion 151 of the guide 130 directs the leading end portion of the advancing tab 20 into the bite of the web 17 and the outer convolution of the web 16 on the capacitor roll 15.

Successive tabs 20 are severed from the tape 21 by a shear blade 154 which is positioned above the tape guide 130 for vertical movement through an aperture in the tape guide and has an obliquely disposed lower cutting edge 156 (FIG. 7). The shear blade 154 is secured to a lateral extension of a slide 157 which is movable vertically in a dove-tail guideway of a member 158 on the tape guide 130. A spring 159 is connected at one end to the slide 157 and at its other end to a rod 160 on the tape guide, and moves the shear blade to its normal upper position. At its lower end the slide 157 is connected to a movable core 161 of a solenoid 162 which is secured to the plate 133 of the carrier 135. The solenoid 162 is connectible to a source of power through a normally open switch 163 (FIG. 1) which is selectively actuated to closed position by a cam 164 on the cam shaft 55 to effect the energization of the solenoid and the actuation of the shear blade 154 to sever a tab 20 from the tape 21.

A first feed roller 165 (FIG. 5) is provided to advance the tape 21 intermittently through a predetermined distance and to position the leading end of the tape in a predetermined position adjacent to the forward end of the tape guide 130. A second feed roller 166 is provided for advancing the severed tab 20 along the guideway 136 into the bite of the convolution of the severed web 16 on the partially wound capacitor roll on the arbor and the other web 17 extending from the capacitor roll. The feed rollers 165 and 166 are fixedly mounted on shafts 167 and 168 which are rotatably supported in the spaced vertical frame plates 133 and 134 (FIG. 6) of the carrier 135. Each of the feed rollers 165 and 166 has two axially spaced rubber rings 170 which extend through clearance slots in the lower wall portion of the tape guide 130 and engage the underside of the tape 21 in the guideway 136.

Backup rollers 171 and 172 are provided, each having a pair of axially spaced rubber rings 173 (FIG. 6) which extend through clearance slots in the upper portion of the tape guide 130 into engagement with the tape 21 for maintaining the tape in engagement With the feed rollers 165 and 166. The backup rollers are rotatably supported on arms 175 which are pivotally supported on brackets 176 on the tape guide 130 and are urged downwardly by leaf springs 177 and 178.

A chain and sprocket connection 180 (FIGS. 2 and 5) interconnects the feed rollers 165, 166 and a shaft 181 of a motor 182 mounted on the carrier 135. The motor is connectible to a source of power through a normally open switch 184 (FIG. 1) which is actuated to closed position by a cam 185 on the cam shaft 55. A second normally open switch 186 on the carrier 134 (FIG. 5) is connected in parallel with the switch 184 and is actuated to closed position by a cam 187 (FIG. 6) secured to the shaft 167 of the feed roller 165. The switch 184 is closed by the cam 185 on the cam shaft 55 to initiate the tape feed drive, after which the second switch 186 is closed, the switch 184 is then opened, and the second switch 186 is opened later to stop the tape feed after one revolution of the feed rollers 165 and 166.

The tape feed rollers 166 is slightly larger in diameter than the feed roller 165 and advances the severed tab 20 faster than the feed roller 165 advances the tape 21 and thereby prevents the tape 21 from overlapping the tab 20. Also, the tension of the leaf spring 178 is less than that of the leaf spring 177 so that as the feed roller 166 engages the end of the tape 21, the feed roller 166 slips thereon and does not feed the tape faster than the feed roller 165 will allow. However, the feed roller 166 tends to feed the tape 21 at a faster rate and thereby serves to longitudinally tension the tape 21 and hold it taut between the feed rollers during the shearing of the tape by the shear blade 154.

As the arbor 35 approaches its lower position, the carrier 135 is moved under control of the cam 147 to its forward position adjacent to the arbor, after which the shear blade 154 is actuated under control of the cam 164 to sever a tab 20 from the tape 21, the shear blade 124 is advanced under control of the cam 127 to shear the web 16 adjacent to the capacitor roll on the arbor, the feed rollers 165 and 166 are driven by the motor 182 under control of the cam operated switch 184 to effect the advancement of the sheared tab 20 along and from the tape guide 131) into the bite of the Web 17 and the capacitor roll 15, and a cam 187 on the rotating cam shaft 55 actuates a switch 188 (FIG. 1) of the control device 76 to effect the rotation of the motor 82 and the arbor 35 for a relatively short period of time to effect the winding of the trailing end of the web 16, the dielectric tab 20, and a portion of the Web 17, onto the capacitor roll 15. The carrier 135 is then returned to the retracted position by the cam 147.

A cutoff knife 189 and an electrically heated sealing element 190 (FIGS. 4 and 10) are advanced to effect the sealing of the web 17 onto the capacitor roll and the shearing of the web 17 adjacent to the roll. Thereafter, the arbor sections 351 are withdrawn from the capacitor 15 by the actuators 71 in cooperation with the stripping members 42, thereby leaving the capacitor free to drop into a receptacle (not shown). The cutoff knife 189 and the heated sealing element 190 are mounted on the end of a bar 191 which is slidably supported on the cradle 44 and is actuated from a normal retracted position to a forward position by mechanism including a cam 192 on the cam shaft 55.

Operation Upon completion of the fabrication of a capacitor 15, and following the withdrawal of the arbor sections 351 from the capacitor, the cradle 40* is raised to the upper position (FIG. 4), after which the arbor sections 35-1 are moved axially into closed position on opposite sides of and into engagement with the portion of the webs 16 and 17 supported between the positioning elements 86 and 87 (FIG. 9). The arbor 35 is then rota-ted through several revolutions to wind a portion of the leading ends of the webs '16 and 17 thereon, after which the positioning ele- 65 ments 86 and 87 are moved away from the arbor 35 to open position (FIG. 10) and the arbor continues for a prescribed number of revolutions to wind at predetermined length of the webs thereon.

Afters the webs 16 and 17 have been wound onto the arbor 35 and the cam shaft 55 has started rotating again, the cutoff bar is advanced to its forward position between the diverging webs 16 and '17 and the shear blade 154 is actuated to shear the tape 21 and. sever a tab 20 therefrom, the cradle 40 is actuated to bring the anbor 35 with the capacitor roll 15 thereon and the cutofi bar 115, to the lower position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10.

As the arbor 35 approaches the lower position, the carrier is advanced to its forward position with the leading end of the severed tab 20 of the tape 21 disposed adjacent to the arbor 35. The shear blade 124 is then actuated to sever the web 16 adjacent the capacitor roll 15 and the arbor 35. The switch '184 for the feeding wheel drive motor 182 is closed to effect the rotation of the feed wheels and 166 through one revolution and the advancement of the severed tab 20 into the bite of the web 17 and the convolution of the web 16 on the capacitor roll, and the switch 188 of the control device 76 is actuated to effect the rotation of the arbor 35 for a prescribed relatively short period of time.

As the arbor 35 rotates, the trailing end of the web .16, the dielectric tab 28, and the web 17 are wound onto the capacitor roll 15 with the dielectric tab 20 overlying and extending beyond the trailing end portion of the web 16, and the web 17 overlying the tab 20 and encircling the capacitor roll 15 as the arbor 35 comes to rest. The sealing element and the cutoff knife 189 are then actuated to effect the sealing of the web 17 to the capacitor roll 15 and the severance of the web 17 adjacent to the roll, after which the arbor sections 351 are withdrawn from the capacitor roll, and thus complete the cycle of operation of the apparatus.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for winding a capacitor from a pair of metallized webs and for inserting a section of a dielectric tape between the trailing end portions of the metallized webs which comprises:

means including a rotatable arbor for winding a pair of webs into a roll;

a carrier having a guide for supporting a tape for intermittent movement along a predetermined path into engagement with the bite of the roll and one of the webs extending there-from;

means for moving said carrier from a retracted position to an advanced position with said tape guide adjacent to said arbor and the roll thereon;

a first means on said carrier for advancing the tape a predetermined distance along said guide;

means on said carrier for shearing the tape in said guide to sever a section thereof;

a second means on said carrier for advancing the severed section of tape from said guide into engagement with the bite of the roll and the web;

means for severing the webs adjacent to the said arbor and the roll thereon; and

control means for effecting the operation of said winding means, said web severing means, said tape shearing means, said first and said second tape advancing means, and said carrier moving means in a predetermined timed relation to one another.

2. An apparatus of the type described which comprises:

means including a rotatable arbor for winding a pair of webs thereon into a roll;

means for moving said arbor in one direction from a winding position to another position for the insertion of a section of dielectric tape between the trailing end portions of the webs;

a carrier having a guide for supporting the tape for intermittent movement along a predetermined path into engagement with the bite of the roll on said arbor and one of the webs extending therefrom;

means for moving said carrier in a second direction transversely of said one direction from a retracted position to an advanced position with said tape guide disposed adjacent to said arbor and the roll thereon;

first and second feed rollers on said carrier engageable with one side of the tape at spaced points thereof;

means on said carrier for shearing the tape between said rollers to sever a section thereof;

means cooperable with said rollers and said tape for effecting a yielding engagement between the tape and said feed rollers;

drive means for simultaneously rotating said feed rollers to effect the advancement of the severed section of tape by one of said rollers into said bite of the roll and web, and the advancement of the tape by said other feed roller past said shearing means and into engagement with said one feed roller; means for severing the webs adjacent to the arbor and the capacitor roll thereon; and

control means for efiecting the sequential operation of said winding means, said tape shearing means, said drive means, said web severing means, and said carrier actuating means, in timed relation to one another.

References Cited by the Examiner FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

20 MERVIN STEIN, Examiner.

W. S. BURDEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR WINDING A CAPACITOR FROM A PAIR OF METALLIZED WEBS AND FOR INSERTING A SECTION OF A DIELECTRIC TAPE BETWEEN THE TRAILING END PORTIONS OF THE METALLIZED WEBS WHICH COMPRISES: MEANS INCLUDING A ROTATABLE ARBOR FOR WINDING A PAIR OF WEBS INTO A ROLL; A CARRIER HAVING A GUIDE FOR SUPPORTING A TAPE FOR INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BITE OF THE ROLL AND ONE OF THE WEBS EXTENDING THEREFROM; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIER FROM A RETRACTED POSITION TO AN ADVANCED POSITION WITH SAID TAPE GUIDE ADJACENT TO SAID ARBOR AND THE ROLL THEREON; A FIRST MEANS ON SAID CARRIER FOR ADVANCING THE TAPE A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE ALONG SAID GUIDE; MEANS ON SAID CARRIER FOR SHEARING THE TAPE IN SAID GUIDE TO SEVER A SECTION THEREOF; A SECOND MEANS ON SAID CARRIER FOR ADVANCING THE SEVERED SECTION OF TAPE FROM SAID GUIDE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BITE OF THE ROLL AND THE WEB; MEANS FOR SEVERING THE WEBS ADJACENT TO THE SAID ARBOR AND THE ROLL THEREON; AND CONTROL MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE OPERATION OF SAID WINDING MEANS, SAID WEB SEVERING MEANS, SAID TAPE SHEARING MEANS, SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND TAPE ADVANCING MEANS, AND SAID CARRIER MOVING MEANS IN A PREDETERMINED TIMED RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER. 